2012 ACF Northeast Regional Conference

More than 500 chefs and foodservice professionals gathered in Niagara
Falls, N.Y., April 28–30, for the 2012 ACF Northeast Regional
Conference, hosted by ACF of Greater Buffalo New York, in the midst of a
winter storm with temperatures dipping into the 30s.

The conference kicked off Friday night, April 27, with the Buffalo
Casual Street Party. An entire street was closed down for attendees to
enjoy live music, local foods and a wing-eating contest. The chapter
continued the fun throughout the conference during networking breaks,
hosting a variety of fun competitions, from clam shucking to cake
decorating, in addition to providing attendees with a sack full of
goodies. The good times continued Monday during the Maid of the Mist
Brunch when Jack Harteis, CEC, of ACF Southwest Virginia Chapter, won an
RCA 42″ TV during the chapter’s fund-raising raffle to
benefit the Chef & Child Foundation and ACF Culinary Team USA. As a
result, the chapter presented ACF Culinary Team USA with a $600
check.

General Session took place April 28 and featured former Walt Disney
World Company executive Dennis Snow who stressed the importance of using
exceptional customer service to win customer loyalty. Also at General
Session, ACF Columbus Chapter and ACF Philadelphia Chapter each made a
$5,000 donation to support the teams of ACF Culinary Team USA in their
quest for gold at the Internationale Kochkunst
Ausstellung (IKA), commonly known as the “culinary
Olympics,” in Erfurt, Germany, Oct. 5–10.

Competitors brought the heat to the Northeast as they vied for
several regional awards. Thank you to Niagara County Community College
in Sanborn, host of several of the regional competitions.
Competitors’ skills, organization and professionalism was put to
the test throughout the conference. Continuing the tradition started
this year, cold-food platters by ACF Student Team Regional Championship
teams were on display, impressing all those who viewed them.

Executive Chef Dan King and his staff at The Buffalo Club outdid
themselves at the American Academy of Chefs Dinner. Attendees were
treated to an assortment of culinary delights, from Foie Gras Butter
Bouche with Huckleberry at the reception to five incredible courses at
dinner. It was an unforgettable experience.

A sincere thank-you to our sponsors and exhibitors,
whose support was instrumental to our success, and to AAC for donating
$1,000 to the ACF Northeast Region Student Team winner to assist with
national convention travel expenses.

Congratulations to all the Northeast Region competitors, award
recipients and honorees.